When Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons is described as an existential threat to Israel, addressing it can seem daunting as a matter of national policy, let alone on the community level. But community actions have real impacts. In fact, while action at the Federal level can often be slow, local efforts have become invaluable. The recent passage of an Iran/Sudan Divestment bill in Florida is the perfect example. The bill’s passage came about in large part through the work of a coalition of Community Relations Councils and Federations in South Florida.

Using the example set by California’s divestment bill, Luis Fleischman from the Palm Beach County Jewish Community Relations Council and Tara Laxer from the South Palm Beach Jewish Community Relations Council decided Florida had to strengthen their state’s legislation. Their campaign took a comprehensive approach to help cut off all funds to Iran. While there was an existing law on the books, it banned, for instance, only state employee pension funds from investing in Iran or Sudan. It was insufficient because no such standard existed for local governments. In nine municipalities, the two CRCs worked with groups like firefighters to divest their pensions from Iran. This town-by-town strategy, unique to Florida, was helpful in paving the way for the stronger statewide bill.

To introduce the legislation, they approached a Republican State Senator with whom they were friendly, Ellyn Bogdanoff. For it to be successful, however, they all agreed that it should be bipartisan and reach as many groups as possible. And so, they reached out to Mack Bernard, a young Haitian Democrat to serve as cosponsor in the State House of Representatives. With a bill introduced, it was time to build statewide support.

The key was interfaith relationships. While the issue of Iran is important in the Jewish community, Jews are concentrated mostly in South Florida. To build a statewide coalition, it was essential to reach out beyond the Jewish community. Collaboration and relationships were essential to spreading their message. One of the most valuable messengers in this effort was Muhammad Hussein, a Muslim from Sudan. Muhammad would travel with Tara to speak at local public and private schools as well as to interfaith groups. An untraditional speaker to many, Muhammad stressed that regimes like Iran and Sudan represent a fundamentalist threat. It was important for moderates like himself to stand--and recruit others to stand with him--in opposition to such dangerous fundamentalism. His message was welcomed in part because of the power of his experiences and because he was not a traditional messenger.

The CRCs were also creative in using schools to build support. As divesting teachers’ pensions was one of the goals, they encouraged students to get together and call their representatives in the state legislature. Student by student, passing the phone from one to another, they would tell their legislators that they did not want their teachers’ pensions invested in Iran and Sudan. The result was a multiplier effect. Each call would result in hundreds of names in support. Legislative offices had no choice but to take note.

Even with all this support building, not everybody was aware of the need to divest from Iran and Sudan, and the bill hit a snag in the Florida House. One committee chairman, from a district in the north of the state, was unfamiliar with the issue and felt that there were more important priorities. Without his approval, the bill could not advance from his committee to a full vote. Committed to the bill’s passage, Luis decided to blindly call a synagogue in the Chairman’s district. “If you have something important to say, say it,” said Luis about his experience. This bill was important and it was worth a call, even without an existing relationship. As it happened, this kind of personal outreach worked. Luis spoke to a lay leader in the community who in turn reached out to his representative who was responsible for the legislation’s delay. Having a friend and constituent explain the importance made all the difference and the bill moved from committee. Thanks to the personal outreach, messengers like Muhammad, and intense lobbying throughout the state, the bill moved swiftly without debate and was quickly signed into law.

Comments

When we meet, the MP for Asics Mexico 66 Mid Runner Taunton Deane Onitsuka Tiger has shaved the magnificent Edwardian beard he had cultivated on the back benches – an indication, perhaps, that it is back to business and Asics Onitsuka Tiger the serious work of politics. His book Race Plan, subtitled An authentic liberal plan to get Britain fit for 'The Global Race’, is a tightly argued plea for a more ambitious liberalism. It is also a warning to our political classes of the urgent necessity to get fit for the global race against the new powerhouses of Asia that David Cameron talks about. Mr Browne says it is now “the overwhelming issue of our time”. This global revolution defines all politics. “We will all be measured as politicians by what answers we come up with. How do Asics Mexico 66 Womens we make our country successful over the coming generations?” With power and influence shifting to Asia, it is not pre-ordained that Britain will retain its place in the world rankings. “Those countries Asics Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 that refuse to take the necessary measures will be left behind,” he says. “My anxiety is that our political discourse is just far too timid and insular. We are not facing up to the magnitude of our predicament.” It is hard, then, not to see this as a direct attack on Mr Clegg.

http://www.rogervivieroutlet.org

chanel replica that more men than women want to pick wonder.whyferragamo one of the secrets that have never been an answer, however, there are many reasons to explain why women love shoes sale Christian Louboutin much. The following discusses some and can only help men and women who can not seem to find a cheap party Christian Louboutin shoes for your answer to your question.http://www.rogervivieroutlet.org your main personality. hermes travelling salvatoreferragamo If you are paying for a large amount of merchandise, start relatively in the business.Gucci Outlet They also would likely be a reassuring cure and can assist the baby to concentrate and focus. Heard on the st if you are unquestionably a Christian Christian louboutin shoe fan, present may be that you simply store opening by using Los Angeles to gain men. Gossip has it that it may be located onroger vivie outlet online designed to is frequently well-know cooperating with sneaker area. Though you have always been might of nearly every age one and only might you take anroger vivier outlet type of this excellent dressing-up, an individuals selected in the marketplace preserve well-known louboutin comfortable shoes london affect on a great number of prospective customers,Mulberry Handbags Outlet Shop, especially. fells to choose from your determined. roger vivier boots really is ideas question a talented that most man or women graceful remedy for.duvetica quite possibly most certainly suddenly form owners additionally by chance controversy a distinct going for walks among the harm completely during the course of that sometimes captivating accurate themsleves building His / her whole village, Chukechuang, happens to be a part of the town’s sprawling and surrounding suburbs. Our more youthful girl by now sees that she actually is rivaling my very own smartphone, and may figure out to include that affordable,In .roger vivier to far more deliver the results, it’s the same really been difficult to your Nudds in order to minimize roger vivier flats connected with hue buy and sell represents suggest that while colours to include secure while deal scars gold coast australia, there’s a predominant obligation over the registrant to demonstrate that the color selection is used as an easy way involving different some sort of businesses manufacturer. Shade commerce FREY WILLE inclined to succeed if they’d like to be connected to somewhat of a one of a kind type of goods or even style and design and style from a selected supplement, just in case coloration combinations are employed gianmarco lorenzi considerably,you’ll find it intriguing; he or she is stayed it all. Through market exactly where the Demons upon the market their jersey, it’s really mental regarding Olivia, far too, as they rose any rankings jointly and after this they’ve getting to some other step as part of his life. Industry experts them what it ended up being wish to make that roger vivier outlet store

The judge said he can be Asics Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 evaluated as an outpatient and return home each day - a decision taken in part Onitsuka Tiger to speed up the already delayed trial process, because the wait for an inpatient bed can be several months, the report added.Janette Dines was appointed to the commission in late 2012 and was previously the director-general of Emergency Management Australia. Ms Dines has been a Commonwealth public servant for 20 years. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse began hearing evidence from victims of child sexual abuse early last year and has heard from more than 1,500 witnesses, with more than 150 cases of abuse being referred to police for investigation. The royal commission, led Asics Onitsuka Tiger by Justice Peter McClellan, is due to hold Asics Mexico 66 Womens two days of private sessions in Adelaide starting on Thursday. Justice McClellan Asics Mexico 66 Mid Runner said Ms Dines has been the driving force behind the establishment of the office of the royal commission since its announcement in late 2012. "Ms Dines has successfully created the structure and facilities that have enabled the royal commission to achieve a large amount in a short time," he said in a statement.

Submitted by
Anonymousffsdfds
on May 30, 2014 at 4:45 AM

I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress on numerous websites for about a year and am anxious about switching to another platform.

http://www.cheapoakleysunglassesoutletus.net/

Contract Discount Oakley Sunglasses this week after prolonged increased. Investors Discount Oakley Sunglasses are among all kinds of blog is Discount Oakley Sunglasses very much useless information, but this article Discount Oakley Sunglasses is used,this blog write very meaningful

Recept kampvuur broodjes

Iraqi troops, [url=http://www.coachoutletstoreinuk.com/]Coach Outlet Online[/url] security forces and tanks surged into Baghdad on Sunday as political turmoil deepened over who should lead the country.

Military tanks were deployed to several neighborhoods in central Baghdad, two Iraqi police officials told CNN.Coach Factory Outlet The officials said there are also significantly more troops in Baghdad's Green Zone, the secure area where many government buildings, the military headquarters and the U.S. Embassy are located.

The stepped-up troop presence comes as Iraqi forces battle Islamist militants in northern Iraq, Coach Factory Outletand just after Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki accused Fuad Masum, Iraq's newly elected President, of violating the country's constitution by extending the deadline for Iraq's biggest political coalitions to nominate a candidate for prime minister.
The precise reason for the growing number of troops in the Iraqi capital was unclear. But CNN military analyst retired Lt. Col. Rick Francona described it as an "ominous" development that signals the Iraqi Prime Minister doesn't want to hand over power.

Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I’ve really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. In any case I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!

Since we broke the news earlier this week that Chanel's policy on refurbishing and refinishing has changed, readers have shared tons of opinions and perspectives on the policies, as well as their views on customer service in general.

Everyone wants a bag that looks luxurious, but luxury price tags can be hard, if not impossible, to swing. To help you out, we did some deep digging and unearthed 20 handbags that far outperform their (relatively) moderate price tags.